PROCEEDINGS OF THIRTY-THIRD FRUIT-GROWERS ' CONVENTION. 213 



ing and packing machinery at the packing-houses. That injury to the 

 delicate fruit was done here, he was satisfied, but to demonstrate how 

 serious, and how it was to be remedied, was a far more difficult prob- 

 lem. A bruise from impact as the fruit passed through complex 

 extended machinery was more difficult to detect, and the effect of the 

 brush and of washing on the delicate surface oil cells difficult to 

 determine. Here is where the value of the trained expert came in- 

 For two years Mr. Powell with his trained scientists followed up these 

 matters, till practical results were clearly demonstrated. This impor- 

 tance can be best estimated by the fact that radical changes were at once 

 made in many packing-houses. 



In the meantime the effects of the high temperature in the cars 

 when the fruit was loaded was given careful attention. In a cool dry 

 atmosphere even an injured fruit will carry a long time before showing 

 signs of decay, and an uninjured indefinitely. The effect of loading 

 fruit already at a high temperature from warm packing-houses into 

 uncooled cars was carefully watched, compared with fruit that was 

 delivered without being heated and kept as cool as practicable till 

 loaded in the car, and again with fruit artificially cooled down to 35 or 

 40 degrees before loading, was carefully tested with marked and signifi- 

 cant results. These experiments were carried on with the greatest care 

 and repeated until there was no possible question of the reduced amount 

 of decay when the fruit was started on its long journey at a low 

 temperature. For two seasons, scores of test cars were sent on under 

 these varying conditions as to temperature when started, often with an 

 expert attending the train, carefully noting the temperature at frequent 

 points, till it reached its destination. 



In making these tests the transportation companies granted every 

 facility desired, sometimes at very considerable expense to themselves, 

 to make them as decisive as possible. This work went on till the 

 law controlling the effect of temperature of fruit at its starting on its 

 carrying ability was determined, and it was found to be a matter of 

 very great importance. It was clearly demonstrated that precooled 

 fruit opened at the other end with much less decay than that without 

 precooling, and that fruit handled with special care to keep it from being 

 heated, even without being artificially cooled, had material advantage 

 over that allowed to become heated before being loaded. 



While this matter of conditions in transportation resulting in least 

 decay in the fruit on its arrival may be quite out of the control of the 

 grower, it is of vital interest to him. Even if he sells his crop on the 

 trees, the dealer can and will pay more for it if he has assurance, from 

 its being carefully handled, that it will reach the market in sound con- 

 dition. But it is to growers who have an interest in their fruit till it is 

 sold, that this careful handling more directly appeals. 



